LaMalfa Applauds Defeat of Fish and Game Administrative Fine Measure

PRESS RELEASE 8/30/12 - Bipartisan Group of Senate Legislators Defeats AB 2179

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 2179 was defeated on the Senate Floor after a robust debate. AB 2179 would authorize the Department of Fish and Game (Department) to impose administrative penalties of up to $15,000 for violations of the Fish and Game Code. The Department now has the ability to self-determine violations, the level of the fine, and the appeals process.

“This is especially disturbing given the ravenous appetite of this state for taxpayer dollars,” commented LaMalfa. “AB 2179 would empower the Department to become the judge, jury and executioner on Fish and Game violations and in a time when farmers and ranchers are struggling, the Legislature is attempting to make it more difficult to operate,”

“Farmers and ranchers in the North State have bent over backwards to accommodate the environmental concerns of the Department,” commented LaMalfa. “Unfortunately, the goal posts are moved at every turn and my constituents are unable to comply.”

Although AB 2179 was defeated with only 11 votes supporting and 23 votes opposing, it is eligible for reconsideration in the Senate tomorrow.

“With the legislative session ending at midnight tomorrow, my hope is that Legislators will continue to realize the long-term consequences of this bill on California and defeat it one final time,” said LaMalfa.

Senator Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing the fourth Senate District including Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Siskiyou, Sutter, Del Norte, Placer, Trinity, Yuba and Nevada counties.